The Atomic Force Microscopy Core at Penn State College of Medicine was created in 2023 with support from NIH (1S10OD030279-01A1). The core’s mission is to provide the College of Medicine research community with access to state-of-the-art atomic force microscopy equipment and expertise as a means to advance the strategic research goals of the institution.
The Biomedical Core Facilities has recently purchased a Bruker NanoWizard® Ultra Speed 2 – High-Speed Atomic Force Microscope. Located in C1732, this system is capable of generating nanometer resolution images of hydrated biological cells, molecules, tissues and solid biomaterials at video rate (up to 60 frames per second).
Purchased modules for the system allow for fast force measurement mapping, high resolution force spectroscopy/compression mode measurements for measuring both biological interactions and mechanical properties of biological tissues. Correlation of AFM measurements with an array of optical microscopy techniques and images generated simultaneously will be available.
A separate fluorescence microscope is available for simultaneous fluorescence/AFM imaging.
Multiple AFM heads allow for imaging from single atoms to 100umx100um areas, ensuring that the widest variety of samples can be imaged on the microscope.
The system resides on a vibration isolation table and inside an acoustic enclosure to ensure that noise levels are kept to a minimum. A temperature control module is available so that samples can be imaged from room temperature to 60 degrees Celsius.
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Instrumentation and Services
Instrumentation
- NanoWizard® Ultra Speed 2 – High-Speed Atomic Force Microscope
Procedures, Protocols and Forms
Please contact the Atomic Force Microscopy Core at atomicforcemicroscopy@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
The Atomic Force Microscopy Core (RRID:SCR_025075) services and instruments used in this project were funded, in part, by The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine via the Office of the Vice Dean of Research and Graduate Students and the Pennsylvania Department of Health using Tobacco Settlement Funds (CURE). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the University or College of Medicine. The Pennsylvania Department of Health specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations or conclusions. We acknowledge support from through an NIH S10 award (1S10OD030279-01A1).
Working with the Atomic Force Microscopy Core
The core is located in room C1732 at Penn State College of Medicine.